Owner Sandi Kirkwood opened her first ceramic painting studio in San Antonio in 2001 but sold it in early 2020. In 2014, she purchased New Braunfels’ Clay Casa.
“This one was started in 2004 by a friend of mine,” Kirkwood said. “I heard she was going to be selling it so I called her and wished her good luck and she [asked], ‘Would you want to buy it?’”
Patrons of Clay Casa select from a variety of figurines, dishes, ornaments and other types of pottery to paint however they like. Additionally, mosaics can be made with pieces of glass, tile and stone.
“One thing about ceramics, they've been around for thousands of years,” Kirkwood said. “I think that's one of the things that drew me to it, was that there were so many options.”
Some 60 colors of nontoxic paint are also available to choose from. Kirkwood said the paint is also easy to remove if it gets on clothes or skin.
"Once it dries it just flakes right off, which makes it really, really nice for kids If people are afraid of that,” Kirkwood said.
Pieces range in price from $10-$120 and include everything needed. Online orders can also be painted at home and returned to the shop for glazing and firing in one of the shop's kilns.
Although Kirkwood said walk-ins are a sizable portion of her business, she recommends reservations on weekends to ensure a spot on busy nights.
Group reservations can be made for birthdays, parties or other events. Clay Casa is also popular for date nights and anniversaries, Kirkwood said. Patrons of the art studio can also bring their own snacks and adult beverages to help fuel their artistic fire.
Kirkwood said Clay Casa provides a relaxed atmosphere for new customers and regulars.
“We've become really good friends with a lot of people,” she said. “People feel at home.”
Clay Casa
301 W. San Antonio. Ste. 122, New Braunfels 830-629-5475. www.claycasanewbraunfels.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 1-6 p.m.
